Vegas in Detroit this holiday season with "The Rat Pack" at the Fox

There are a lot of holiday shows around town this season. And though it's been said many times and many ways, "Christmas with the Rat Pack -- Live at the Sands" is the best holiday show playing in the area.

"The Rat Pack" refers to the group of friends and entertainers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., who starred together in movies and on stage -- typically in Las Vegas in the 1950s and '60s.

The vintage glamour, songs and set make this show at the Fox Theatre a must-see this weekend with Davis, Martin and the leader of the pack, Sinatra, in the driver's seat on this trip down memory lane.

FYI

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"The Rat Pack Live at the Sands" is playing at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30; at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 ; and at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec., 2 at 2211 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Tickets are $50 to $90. Visit www.olympiaentertainment.com or call 800-745-3000 or 313-471-3099.

With a setlist that includes classics such as "Come Fly With Me," "The Lady is a Tramp," "New York, New York," "Christmas Song," "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," it's a joyful experience from beginning to end. There is no complicated story, villain or twists in this production -- it's just pure fun.

British actor Stephen Triffitt, who has performed on London's West End, plays a magnificent Sinatra. His vocals are spot-on as he channels Lo' Blue-Eyes to perfection in tunes such as "Fly Me To The Moon." If you close your eyes and tune your ears, you might even think it is the star himself; Triffitt gives you no hint otherwise.

Triffitt's disposition and expressions are a great homage to one of film and stage's greatest entertainers and gentlemen -- debonair, classy and talented.

Gills Terera's high-octane performance as Sam Davis Jr. does the triple threat proud. His energy never wanes as he dances, sings and finesses his way across the stage.

One of the highlights of the show is the moment Terera sings "Mr. Bojangles." He doesn't do a lot of dancing and the vocals are pretty straight forward, but that's he uses his dynamic physicality to convey the emotion of the song, and it resonates.

Mark Adams is also fabulous as Dean Martin -- although the references to his drinking did become a bit old. He plays the smoothest and most charming drunk to ever grace the stage, impeccably.

The well-fitted tuxedos and perfectly brushed hair on the gents adds to the throwback ambiance. And little idiosyncrasies like the characters holding a glass of whiskey or gin also helped the authenticity of the show.

The talented trio wasn't alone when it came to being dressed to the nines, the Burelli Sisters -- who served as background singers and dancers -- and their gorgeous red dresses charmed the boys and the audience with all of their feminine wiles.

The Burelli trio is played alternately by Leanne Howell, Frankie Jenna, Michelle White and Hannah Blake.

The ladies are elegant and graceful. Their wardrobes by costume designer Chris Woods are sparkly and flowing -- they really create a beautiful element to the show with their perfect seams and cuts. He did a magnificent job creating for these characters that are a hybrid of The Andrews Sisters and The Supremes. The choreography is refined with tiny movements that speak to the 1940s and '50s, but they have a soulful and glamorous element to them as well.

The show is directed by Mitch Sebastian, with musical direction by Dominic Barlow.

Samantha White is a Ferndale resident and freelance writer. Contact her at sammie427@gmail.com.